PRIEST-CRUSADER Class

Description:  Crusaders are priests of deities of war, combat, or conflict who 
stand at the forefront of the fight for their faith.  While Crusaders are often 
associated with war deities, they may also represent powers of leadership or 
strong alignment that are in conflict with opposing forces.  Crusaders often 
organize themselves in a quasi-military hierarchy (though strict adherence to 
'chain of command' issues is usually limited to very lawful orders) and view 
their temples as fortifications as well as places of worship.  In some cases, 
the power of Crusader orders can rival the strength of kingdoms in which they 
are located, a situation that can provoke popular resentment or suspicion 
regarding their meddling in local affairs, though none doubt their ability and 
resolve in times of war.  In an adventuring party, Crusaders are natural leaders 
whose place is in the front lines of any battle, using their priestly skills to 
prepare comrades for battle and to aid the fallen afterwards.

Crusaders use the Cleric advancement table and have eight-sided hit dice, THAC0 
progression as warriors, and saving throws as priests.  They begin play with 2 
weapon and 3 non-weapon proficiencies and gain new weapon and non-weapon 
proficiency slots every three levels.  Crusaders can be of any lawful or chaotic 
alignment.  Since they are often called upon to lead the forces of their faith 
into battle Crusaders require Strength and Charisma scores of at least 12, in 
addition to Wisdom of at least 9.  Crusaders can be aasimar, human, elven, half-
elven, half-orcish, or dwarven.

Weapons & Armor:  Crusaders are entitled to use any type of armor or shield and 
become proficient in any weapon desired, regardless of normal restrictions for 
the clergy of their deity.

Special Benefits:  All Crusaders gain major access to the All, Combat, Healing, 
War, and Wards spheres and minor access to the Guardian and Protection spheres.  
Lawful Crusaders gain major access to the Law sphere while Chaotic Crusaders 
gain major access to the Chaos sphere.  In addition to these spheres, Crusaders 
gain minor access to any spell spheres normally granted major access to Clerics 
of their deity.  If their deity has a 'special' sphere (e.g., Sun for Pelor, Law 
for Torm), a Crusader gains major access to that sphere but no access to other 
Clerical spheres.

Battle Prowess:  As noted, Crusaders can use any sort of armor or shield and any 
type of weapon desired with a Warrior's THAC0 progression.  In addition, they 
can take Warrior non-weapon proficiencies at no extra cost and can make full use 
of magical items normally restricted to Warriors.  In addition, lawful good 
Crusaders are able to use a holy sword with the same benefits as a Paladin 
(likewise for other specially aligned weapons and Crusaders of a compatible 
alignment).

Campaign Skill:  Crusaders have an array of special abilities that assist them 
in leading or supporting an army on the march, gaining additional powers as they 
increase in level:

Level		Ability
1st		command 1/day
3rd		lighten load 1/day
5th	 	mount 1/day
7th		easy march 1/week
9th		create campsite/break camp 1/day
11th		heroes' feast 1/week

Crusaders also are so well-recognized for their battle prowess that at 8th level 
they attract a body of fanatical soldiers dedicated to his or her deity, much as 
a Cleric is able to do.  A notable difference, however, is that these followers 
will be attracted regardless of whether the Crusader elects to establish a 
stronghold or permanent place of worship.  This body of followers consists of 
20-200 normal 0-level soldiers armed and equipped as appropriate for typical 
soldiers in the area.  These will serve the Crusader as a free-roving battle 
company if no stronghold is available to hold them, or they can be billeted at a 
stronghold of the Crusader's church (sometimes for free, sometimes with the cost 
borne by the Crusader, depending on availability of provisions and need for 
troops).

These 0-level warriors are attracted by a Crusader's reputation and faithfulness 
and serve him or her loyally as long as he or she upholds the ideals of the 
faith and of martial skill and bravery.  Note that these followers are not 
Crusaders and have no official rank or position within a Crusader order, and 
they are expected to give way and follow the directions of Crusader officers on 
the field of battle.  Because of their very high loyalty to the Crusader they 
follow, only in rare situations will they cross these boundaries, and then 
generally only if they believe their liege lord is in danger (e.g., they may 
break ranks in battle in order to attempt a rescue if their lord has been 
captured).

A Crusader of 9th level or above can request official permission from his or her 
church to build a stronghold or castle for the service of the faith.  The church 
organization will underwrite half the cost of construction of such a fortress, 
assuming that the place is dedicated to the service of the Crusader's deity and 
contains all appropriate trappings of a religious edifice.  Of course, a 
Crusader can hold property or build anything he or she wishes prior to attaining 
9th level, but such must be done without official church sanction and without 
their direct support.

Special Hindrances:  Crusaders dedicate themselves to the art of war, setting 
aside much of the traditional teaching of the church and training for its 
priestly servants.  As a result, Crusaders never gain the granted powers 
normally associated with a particular deity, including the ability to turn or 
command undead.  In addition, they are limited in the scope of their magical 
training.  Their combat focus means that they must always memorize at least one 
spell of every level that they can cast from either the Combat or War sphere.  
In terms of access to spell spheres, Crusaders gain only minor access to their 
deity's major spheres and no access at all to their deity's minor spheres.  If 
their deity has a 'special' sphere, a Crusader does gain major access to that 
sphere as normal but loses all other normal sphere access for his or her faith.  
Crusaders do gain access to all normal unique spells of their faith, regardless 
of sphere.

All Crusaders must tithe 10 percent of their income for the support of their 
order; even the rather loosely organized chaotic Crusader orders require funds 
for their upkeep.  In addition, Crusaders must obey commands given by any priest 
of his or her faith who is of higher level; a Crusader must be ready to fight 
and die in the faith's name.  The Crusader may also be asked to join in any wars 
that the church declares as holy.  Failure to do so will result in the loss of 
the Crusader's special abilities until a quest (q.v.) is undertaken on the 
church's behalf.

Required Proficiencies:  Endurance
Preferred Proficiencies:  Alertness, Armorer, Artillerist, Awareness, Ancient 
History, Artistic Ability, Bowyer/Fletcher, Chanting, Debate, Display Weapon 
Prowess, Etiquette, Fortification, Healing, Heraldry, Leadership, Local History, 
Observation, Reading/Writing, Religion, Riding (Land-based), Signaling, Singing, 
Strategy, Survival, Tactics, Weaponsmithing
Forbidden Proficiencies:  Any Psionicist, Rogue, or Wizard proficiencies